Terminal strip

ABSTRACT

Terminal strip for use in an interconnection system comprises two spaced-apart parallel carrier strips connected together by transversely extending rungs. Contact sockets are integral with the carrier strips on opposite sides of the rungs and extend laterally therefrom. Portions of terminal strip extending between rungs are folded to shorten the pitch of the strip and adapt it for use in housings in which contacts are close together. Strip may be used for feed-through applications, in which the two sockets of each pair are in axial alignment with each other, or for junction blocks in which strip is bent so that the two contacts of each pair extend parallel to each other on each side of the carrier strips.

g, Frederick e and Jay L.

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Holcombe, William Hintze, William J. Keatin W. Raring, John R. Hopkins,Adrian J. La Ru Seitchik Inventors Clarence Leonard Paullus Camp Hill;John Aaron Zimmerman, `lr., Hershey, both of, Pa. Appl. No. 658,368Filed Aug. 4, 1967 Patented July 20, 197| AMP Incorporated Harrisburg,Pa.

ll Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

United States Patent [73] Assignee [54] TERMINALSTRIP system comprisestwo spaced ment with each other, or for bent so that the two contacPATENTED JUL20 Isn SHEET l UF 3 PATENTEUJuLeoasn 3594714 snm 2 or 3 MobTERMINAL STRIP Our previously issued vU.S. Pat. No, 3,456,231,1forINTER- CONNECTION WIRING SYSTEM, discloses and claims a modular-typeterminal` junction wiring system which is made up of a ,plurality ofsimilar modules which are mounted in suitable mounting rails orchannels. Each module containsa section, or a plurality of sections, orconducting tenninal strip having integral contact sockets. Contact pinsareinsertedinto the modules and into the contact sockets on the stripthereby to connect the wires, to which thepins are attached, 'to eachother. v Y

The terminal strip disclosedin theabove-idcntiedapplication, U.S. Pat.No. 3,456,231 comprisesiafsingle central` carrier strip having, atspaced intervals, contact socketsiin'tegral therewith and extendingtherefrom `on its opposite sides. The pitch of this strip, that is, thespacing -`between adjacent `pairs of contact sockets, is shortened byfoldingthe vportions of .the carrier strip which extend between adjacentpairs of sockets into a keystonelike form. After this folding operation,the contact terminals will be in side-'by-side relationship Von each.side of the carrier strip with the two terminals ofeach pair bein'ginaxial alignment with each other. The strip in this form, that is, withthe terminals in axial alignment, is used in feed-through applications'."In feed-through applications, wiresextending axially towards each otherare connected by inserting the contact terminals on .their ends into a.pair of contact sockets Vin the modules. The strip in a module may`be'i'of any desired length within the accommodating limits of themodule to vpermit-common connections among varyingnumbers of wires. 'lnan alternative embodiment in the invention` disclosed in U.S. Pat. No`3,456,231, the terminals are bentthrough an angleof 90 so that the twoterminals of each pair in side-byside relationship and-extend normally`of the originalplane of the st'rip. The strip in `this form is usedinjunction-typeblock modules to commonlyconnect two or more wires.

While the terminal strip disclosed `in our aboveidentilied applicationis highly satisfactory under mostcircurnstancesit has been found `thatwhere the strip is madefrom a relatively thick stock metal as isrequired lfor relatively large contact sockets, difficulty isencountered lin the bend'inggoperation and the deformed portions of thestrip, that is, 'the keystonelike formations between adjacent pairs ofcontact sockets, are relatively bulky, under such circumstances, it isdifficult to Yft the strip into the individual modules. j

The present invention is addressed to the problem `of providing animproved form of terminalstrip for'usein modu- 'lar interconnection or-termina'ljunction systems ofthe general type shown and claimed in ourabove-identified U.S. Pat.No. 3,456,231. Itis accordingly an object ofthe invention to provide an improved terminal strip for use in terminaljunction systems. A further object is to provide a terminal strip whichcan be used in varyingl lengths to commonly `connect varying numbers ofconductors in an interconnection or terminal junction system. A stillfurther object is to provide a terminal strip which initially comprisescarrier strip means having pairs of aligned sockets extending fromopposite sides thereof which can be drastically deformed to locate thecontact sockets of each pair inclosely spaced side-by-side relationship.A still further object is to provide a continuous terminal 'stripcomprising carrier strip means and contact sockets extending in oppositedirections in which adjacent pairs of contact sockets are closelyspaced.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a preferredembodiment thereof comprising a `pair of spacedapart parallel carrierstrips, the adjacent longitudinal ledges of these carrier strips beingconnected to each other by transversely extending integral rungs. Aplurality of pairs of contact sockets are integral with the carrierstrip, the Atwo sockets of each pair being in axial alignment with eachother and with one of the rungs and extending from the outside edges ofthe carrier strips. The spacingbetween adjacent pairs of contact socketsis shortened, after manufacture of the strip by die stamping andformingmethods by folding the portions of the carrier strips which extendbetween adjacent rungs. The convtact sockets can be bent, relative tothe original plane of the Acarrier strip, so that they are vparallel to,and beside, each other on each side of the carrier strip. The terminalstrip can thusbe used either for feed through type interconnectionapplications or for junction block-type applications.

ln the drawings:

FIG. lV is a perspective view of a short section of terminal strip inaccordance with the invention andshowing, at its lefthand end, theblankfrom which the contact sockets of the strip-areformed; y

FIG. 1A is a perspective view'of a short section of strip stockmaterialwhich is used to form the strip of FIG. l,

FIG.2A is a perspective viewiofa section'of the strip of FIG. l afterthe pitch'gof the strip has'been shortened by folding the carrierstrips;

FIG. 2By is a `perspective view of a short section of strip, `which hasbeen subjected to a bending operation to position the two Contactsockets of each associated pair of sockets in parallel relationship toeach other;

FIG. 3 is aperspective exploded view of lan interconnection module 4forfeed through applications which utilizes a short section of stn'p of the'type shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a junction blocktype modulewhich utilizes a strip ofthe type shown in. FIG. 2B;fand i v 'FIG 5 isa'perspective view on an enlarged scale, with parts brokenaway intheinterest of clarity, of a contact socket and illustrating the manner inwhich a contact pin is inserted into the socket.

A contact strip 2 in accordance with the invention (FIG. l) comprises apair of ,parallel carrier strips 4', 6 which are connected to each otherby rungs 8, these rungs extending between, and being integral with, theadjacent edges of the carrier strip. Apluralityjof pairs'of contactsockets I0 are connected to the outside edges of the carrier strips 4'.,6 by means of connecting` slugs l2 which are integral with the carrierstrips on each side of the rungs8. ln FIG. 1the portions of the carrierstrips which extend between adjacent pairs of contact sockets areindicated with primed reference numerals 4', 6' inasmuch as thesesections of carrier strips are later folded as shown in FIG. 2A at 4 and6 to shorten the pitch of the strip, that is, tot reduce the spacingbetween adjacent pairs `of contact sockets.

The strip 2 of lFIG. 1 is formed from laminated stock material asshownin FIG.Y lA comprisinga lower layer 14 of a suita- 'b`le high strengthsheetjmetal having good spring properties such as 'beryllium copper anda relatively thicker layer 16 of metal having good conducting propertiessuch as electrolytic copper. The high strength lmaterial 14 extendslaterally beyond the edges of the high conductivity material'l.Beryllium copper is aparticularly suitable material for the layer 14 forthe reason that it -is age hardenable. The strip can thus be stamped andformed when this strip is soft and can be heattreated to develop springcharacteristics in the layer 14. The sockets l0 are formed fromgenerallyrectangular blanks l0', the lower layers (as viewed in FIG. 1) 18' ofthese blanks ultimately forming the outer cylindrical tubelike members18 of the individual sockets. ln addition, a strip 20 'of Copper (formedfrom layer 16) is located along the inner side of each blank such thataftr forming ofthe sockets, this strip forms a ycylindrical liner 20(FIG. 5). The liner 20 is integral with the copper layer portion of thefinished terminal strip which extends across the neck portions l2 andalong the carrier strip portions 4, 6, vto the next adjacent pairs ofsockets and provides a conducting path in the strip of low electricalresistance.

A pair of lances 22 are provided on opposite lsides of each socket whichfunction as retainer springs in a manner described below and a singlecontact spring 24 is provided between these lances which functions tobias an inserted contact pin 26 against the conducting liner 20 of thesocket. As shown in FIG. 1, these lances and the contact spring areformed by struckout portions 22', 24' in the flat blanks l0 from whichthe sockets are formed.

Sockets of the type shown in the drawing are adapted to be used withcylindrical contact terminals 26 which are crimped as shown at 30 ontothe ends of the wires 32. The forward cylindrical portions 28, of thesockets are provided with a circumferential collar 34 and the forwardend 36 of each pin functions as a contact portion which, afterinsertion, bears against the inner surface of the liner 20 of thesocket. After insertion of an individual contact pin 26 into a socket,the ends of the lances 22 lodge against the leftwardly facing surface 38of the collar 34 thereby to lock the contact in the socket. The contactspring 24 bears against the surface of the collar 34 and maintains thecontact surface 36 in engagement with the surface of the liner 20. Thesefeatures of the contact pins and sockets are described more fully in theabove-identified U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,231.

FIG. I shows the terminal strip as it comes from the stamping andforming die. Prior to use of the strip, the portions 4', 5 of thecarrier strip which extend between adjacent rungs 8 are folded as shownin FIG. 2A thereby to substantially reduce the pitch of the strip. Thestrip shown in FIG. 2A is used in modules of the type shown in FIG. 3,each of these modules comprising a pair of identical insulating housings40a, 40b in which there are mounted resilient insulating inserts 42 ofneoprene rubber or similar material. Contact receiving cavities 43extend through these inserts and through a block 44 secured to thehousing blocks 40a, 40b. The openings 46 being in axial alignment withthe cavities 43 of the inserts 42. During assembly of the module of FIG.3, the desired length of contact strip 2 is positioned between a pair ofhousings 40a, 40h and the contact sockets of the strip are inserted intocorresponding contact receiving cavities 43 of the housings. The twohousings are then moved relatively towards each other and cemented orotherwise secured together. The folded portions 4, 6 of the carrierstn'p will bear against and compress the surface portions 4S of theresiliently deformable inserts 42 of the housings as explained morefully in our above-identified pending application. It will be understoodthat in FIG. 3, a section of strip will also be positioned in thecavities 43 which appear at the left in these housings and that thesesections of strips have been omitted from the drawing in the interest ofclarity.

Junction block-type modules (FIG. 4) are produced by bending the rungportions 8 of the carrier strip 2 along bending lines at 56 extendingparallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe strip and on each side of thecenterline thereof. After such bending of the strip, the contact socketswill be in parallel side-by-side relationship as shown in FIG. 2B andthe folded portions 4, 6 of the strip, will extend laterally outwardlyand between adjacent pairs of contact sockets. As shown best in FIG. 4,a junction-type module is made up of a housing block 40 as previouslydescribed having a resilient insert 50 therein. The insert 50 differsfrom the previously described insert 42 in that it is provided with agenerally oval-shaped openings 52 adapted to receive a pair ofcooperating contact sockets. Each opening 52 is in alignment with a pairof contact receiving cavities which extend through through the insertand through the block 44 and open into the upper surface of the block asshown in FIG. 3. Again, details of junction-type modules of this typeare described fully in are previously identified U.S. Pat. No.3,456,23I. After insertion of the terminal strip in FIG. 4, a coverplate 54 is secured against the surface of the block 40 and cemented orotherwise secured thereto. Again, the folded portions of the carrierstrips 4, 6 bear against the insert 50 at 58 between adjacent openings52 in the insert 50 and compress it.

The junction mod-.ile shown in FIG. 4 adapted to receive l() individualContact pins to commonly connect l electrical conductors. lf commonconnectionsl are desired among a lesser number of conductors, forexample, two, four, six, or eight, shorter sections of terminal stripare used and folded portions of the carrier strips are removed anddiscarded.

A salient advantage of the terminal strip in accordance with theinvention is that the folded sections 4, 6 can be formed even if thestrip is manufactured from a relatively thick stock material. Thesefolder portions of the carrier strip will moreover be relatively stiffand maintain the contact sockets of adjacent pairs in accurate spacedrelationship to each other. The carrier strip can be sent as shown inFIG. 2B with relative ease to form strip material forjunction-typemodules. When strip of this type is inserted into a module asillustrated in FIG. 4, the material between adjacent openings 52 in theinsert is compressed by the bight portions of the carrier strips. Thus,only a short length of the carrier strips bears against the insert 52and assembly of the tenninal strip to a module is a relatively simpleoperation.

It will be apparent that the folding of the strip will not always berequired in the practice of the invention. Under some circumstances, itmight be found that the contact terminals will be spaced apart by therequired amount without folding the strip. Where the contact terminalstake the form of sockets, as in the disclosed embodiment, the spacingbetween adjacent terminals will be determined by the developed widthofthe sockets, that is, the width ofthe blank 18' in FIG. l, and thisdimension will be relatively large for the larger sizes of the sockets.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art andvarious apparently different modifications and embodiments may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forthin the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by wayof illustration only.

What we claim is:

l. A terminal strip adapted for use in an interconnection wiring systemcomprising, a pair ofparallel spaced-apart carrier strips, said stripsbeing connected to each other by spacedapart transversely extendingrungs, a plurality of pairs of contact terminals, the two terminals ofeach pair being integral with said carrier strips on opposite sides ofrungs, said strips being foldable between said rungs to shorten thepitch of said strip and said carrier strips being bendable relative tosaid rungs to position the two terminals of each pair in side-by-sideparallel relationship, saidstrip being formed from laminated metalstock, said strip having a first layer of highly conductive metalextending over said carrier strips, over said rungs, and partially oversaid contact terminals and having a second layer of high strength metalagainst said first layer and extending laterally beyond said first layeron each side of said strip, said contact terminals comprising, at theirextremities, said second layer.

2. A terminal strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said contactterminals comprise contact sockets.

3. A terminal strip as set forth in claim l wherein said contacttenninals comprise contact sockets, said second layer comprising thefree end portions of said sockets, said first layer forming a liner insaid contact sockets and providing a low resistance conducting path insaid strip.

4. A strip as let forth in claim 3 wherein said end portions of saidsockets have integral contact spring means therein formed from saidsecond layer, said contact springs means being effective to maintain aninserted contact pin in engagement with the surface of said liner.

5. A strip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said end portions of saidsockets have integral retainer springs therein formed from said secondlayer, said retainer springs being effective to retain inserted pins insaid sockets.

6. A terminal strip adapted for use in an interconnection wiring systemcomprising, a pair of parallel spacedapart carrier strips, said stripsbeing connected to each other by spacedapart transversely extendingrungs, a plurality of pairs of contact terminals, the two terminals ofeach pair being integral with said carrier strips on opposite sidesofsaid rungs, the por tions of said strips between said rungs-beingfolded thereby to reduce the pitch of said strip.

7. A terminal strip as set forth in claim 6 wherein said carri er stripsare bent relative to said rungs and lie in parallel planes extendingnonnally of the plane defined by said rungs, the two contact terminalsof each pair being in side-by-side parallel relationship with their axesextending normally of said plane defined by said rungs.

8. A terminal strip comprising a continuous carrier strip having aplurality of contact terminals integral with and extending laterallytherefrom, said contact terminals having contact surface portionsdisposed adjacent to said carrier strip, said strip being formed fromlaminated stock metal comprising a high strength layer and a highlyconductive layer, said highly conductive layer extending along saidcarrier strip and partially onto said contact terminals, said highlyconductive layer constituting said contact surface portions of saidterminals, said highly conductive layer extending laterally beyond saidhighly conductive layer and constituting the end portions of saidcontact terminals.

9. A strip of contact terminals for use in an interconnection system,said strip comprising a central carrier strip, a plurality of pairs ofcontact terminals integral with said carrier strip, the two contacts ofeach pair extending laterally of said strip in opposite directions andbeing in axial alignment with each other, said contact terminals beingintegral with said carrier strip by means of connecting slugs having alength sufficient to permit said contacts to be bent relative to saidstrip until thc axes of said contacts extend parallel to each other andnormally of said strip, each of said terminals comprising a contactsocket adapted to receive a contact pin, said strip being of laminatedmetal comprising a first lamina having a high electrical conductivityand a second lamina of high strength springy material, lsaid firstlamina extending over said carrier strip and partially into said socketsand saidlsecond lamina extending laterally beyond said first lamina, theportions of said sockets which are remote from said carrier strip beingformed of said second lamina.

10. A strip as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said sockets has acontact spring and a retainer spring struck from its wall, said contactand retainer springs being of said second lamina and extending towardssaid carrier strip.

l1. A strip of contact terminals for use in an interconnection system,said strip comprising central carrier strip means having a plurality ofpairs of contact terminals integral therewith, the terminals of eachpair being disposed on opposite sides of said strip means said stripmeans being in a shortened condition as a result of folding parallel toits length at periodic intervals whereby said terminals on each side ofsaid strip means are spaced apart by a distance which is less than thedeveloped width of said terminals as measured along the length of saidcarrier strip means, said terminals being bent, relative to said stripand extending normally of the plane of said strip.

1. A terminal strip adapted for use in an interconnection wiring systemcomprising, a pair of parallel spaced-apart carrier strips, said stripsbeing connected to each other by spaced-apart transversely extendingrungs, a plurality of pairs of contact terminals, the two terminals ofeach pair being integral with said carrier strips on opposite sides ofrungs, said strips being foldable between said rungs to shorten thepitch of said strip and said carrier strips being bendable relative tosaid rungs to position the two terminals of each pair in side-by-sideparallel relationship, said strip being formed from laminated metalstock, said strip having a first layer of highly conductive metalextending over said carrier strips, over said rungs, and partially oversaid contact terminals and having a second layer of high strength metalagainst said first layer and extending laterally beyond said first layeron each side of said strip, said contact terminals comprising, at theirextremities, said second layer.
 2. A terminal strip as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said contact terminals comprise contact sockets.
 3. Aterminal strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said contact terminalscomprise contact sockets, said second layer comprising the free endportions of said sockets, said first layer forming a liner in saidcontact sockets and providing a low resistance conducting path in saidstrip.
 4. A strip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said end portions ofsaid sockets have integral contact spring means therein formed from saidsecond layer, said contact springs means being effective to maintain aninserted contact pin in engagement with the surface of said liner.
 5. Astrip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said end portions of said socketshave integral retainer springs therein formed from said second layer,said retainer springs being effective to retain inserted pins in saidsockets.
 6. A terminal strip adapted for use in an interconnectionwiring system comprising, a pair of parallel spaced-apart carrierstrips, said strips being connected to each other by spaced-aparttransversely extending rungs, a plurality of pairs of contact terminals,the two terminals of each pair being integral with said carrier stripson opposite sides of said rungs, the portions of said strips betweensaid rungs being folded thereby to reduce the pitch of said strip.
 7. Aterminal strip as set forth in claim 6 wherein said carrier strips arebent relative to said rungs and lie in parallel planes extendingnormally of the plane defined by said rungs, the two contact terminalsof each pair being in side-by-side parallel relationship with their axesextending normally of said plane defined by said rungs.
 8. A terminalstrip comprising a continuous carrier strip having a plurality ofcontact terminals integral with and extending laterally therefrom, saidcontact terminals having contact surface portions disposed adjacent tosaid carrier strip, said strip being formed from laminated stock metalcomprising a high strength layer and a highly conductive layer, saidhighly conductive layer extending along said carrier strip and partiallyonto said contact terminals, said highly conductive layer constitutingsaid contact surface portions of said terminals, said highly conductivelayer extending laterally beyond said highly conductive layer andconstituting the end portions of said contact terminals.
 9. A strip ofcontact terminals for use in an interconnection system, said stripcomprising a central carrier strip, a plurality of pairs of contactterminals integral with said carrier Strip, the two contacts of eachpair extending laterally of said strip in opposite directions and beingin axial alignment with each other, said contact terminals beingintegral with said carrier strip by means of connecting slugs having alength sufficient to permit said contacts to be bent relative to saidstrip until the axes of said contacts extend parallel to each other andnormally of said strip, each of said terminals comprising a contactsocket adapted to receive a contact pin, said strip being of laminatedmetal comprising a first lamina having a high electrical conductivityand a second lamina of high strength springy material, said first laminaextending over said carrier strip and partially into said sockets andsaid second lamina extending laterally beyond said first lamina, theportions of said sockets which are remote from said carrier strip beingformed of said second lamina.
 10. A strip as set forth in claim 9wherein each of said sockets has a contact spring and a retainer springstruck from its wall, said contact and retainer springs being of saidsecond lamina and extending towards said carrier strip.
 11. A strip ofcontact terminals for use in an interconnection system, said stripcomprising central carrier strip means having a plurality of pairs ofcontact terminals integral therewith, the terminals of each pair beingdisposed on opposite sides of said strip means said strip means being ina shortened condition as a result of folding parallel to its length atperiodic intervals whereby said terminals on each side of said stripmeans are spaced apart by a distance which is less than the developedwidth of said terminals as measured along the length of said carrierstrip means, said terminals being bent, relative to said strip andextending normally of the plane of said strip.